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-Stages-
1) Idol: You are given a hand carved idol statue that you must keep with you at all times to attract a young b'alam cub. If you are in the thread a lot then this increases the chances that the cub will arrive faster.

2) Cub: Now that the cute and cuddly b'alam cub has become your friend then it's time to teach them all that you know. Please be friendly to the cub by playing with them often. If you ignore your cub then the b'alam will grow up to be a neglected adult that doesn't like humans!

3) Adult: B'alam aduts are fierce as well as loving. They will protect their human from all the dangers of the surrounding jungle. B'alam adults are at the top of the food chain in the entire area!

4) Elder: These are adults that have become gods. They are adorned with elaborate jewerly and headdresses.


-Kinds-
Lum-il - Your average land dwelling b'alam. These resemble jaguars the most of any other species of this lovable cat. Normals usually have better speed than other kinds of b'alam.

Yaxun - These b'alam have beautiful bird wings and can fly high altitudes. Yaxun means "bird" in Mayan so these magnificent animals live up to that name with their aerial skills.

Pepen - These kinds of b'alam are very rare and resemble butterflies, dragonflies, moths, and other insects/bugs with wings. They are slightly smaller than other type of b'alam and their bones weigh less like the Yaxun so they can fly. Pepen help the flowers in the jungle around the temple flourish.

Suzti - These b'alam have bat like wings and large horns. It is says they were influenced by Xibalba. Suzti means "bat" in Mayan so these amazing animals live up to that name with their unique wings.

sasak'na These b'alam have thick pelts and long teeth. They first arrived from the frozen white land that lies to the north of the jungle. More info coming soon....

more kinds to be discovered!

-Breeds-
Kuxtal - These b'alams are colored to elements existing in nature such as plants and animals. They have better instincts compared to other breeds.

K'in - These b'alam are colored like elements such as fire, ice, water, etc. They usually have a glow about them and some can use powers!

Che-le - These b'alam can be colored any way the owner wants. If your b'alam doesn't fit into any other breed they are usually che-le.

K'ohb'a - These b'alam look very familiar to the right eyes....

More breeds to be discovered!

-Paths-
B'alam can decide to take one of four paths to take. These paths help to develop their personality and give them a clan to belong to. B'alams in opposite paths may become enemies but if they work out their differences, a strong friendship can develop. Those of different paths may breed together as well as breeding within members of their own path respectively. When a b'alam is given out or born, they usually have a light path but this can be changed by the owner. The maximum times a path can be changed for a single b'alam is three times.

1) Light - This is the most common path that is taken by good-natured b'alam. Ill-tempered b'alam can choose the light path too if they don't mind being with the shiny happy kitties. The sun is where they get their strength from so feel their best during the day. Light path b'alam like to sleep during the night so they can enjoy their day under the warmth of the sun. In folklore their equivalent is the Smiling Jaguar (associated with the yellow, black spotted variety).

2) Night - B'alam with sly, cunning, or grumpy tempers will usually take the night path but some good-natured b'alam can too! These b'alam like to sleep during the day so they can be awake at night under the moon which gives them their strength. In folklore theirs is the Night Jaguar (associated with the solid black variety)

3) Dark - B'alam who are very evil and malicious will usually take this path. It's reserved for the nastiest cats who love warring. Insane b'alam can belong to this path too. These beasts get their powers from the shadows during the day and absolute darkness during lunar eclipse or whenever the clouds cover the moon at night. They barely sleep during the day or night!

4) Nothing - B'alam who don't want to be in the other paths will choose this one. Those in the nothing path have varied tempers while some may be loners or outcasts.
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Maned Wolf: Maned wolves are often described as "foxes on stilts", however they are in now way related to foxes. They are nocturnal and are omnivorous. When it comes to breeding they tend to have only one partner their entire lives. The relationship between maned wolves and B'alam can flex either way. Most B'alam don't mind maned wolves, but wolves usually don't want to hang around for long.
Macaw: Macaws eat nuts, seeds, fruit, and sometimes insects. They show a large amount of intelligence in their behavior and require constant intellectual stimulation to satisfy their innate curiosity. They are a playful bird, always causing trouble. B'alam usually admire their ability to fly and will often try to make friends with them.
Chinchilla: Chinchillas are a thick furred rodent that live in the rockier areas. They are extremely agile and can leap to great heights without hardly moving a muscle. Some B'alam find chinchillas as a great snack, but sometimes cubs will find a friend with them.
Spider Monkey: Spider monkeys specialize in swinging from branches with their long arms and legs. They rarely come down from the canopy of the forest, and when they do it's usually to annoy the creatures below them. Spider monkeys have been known to bite B'alam's tails when they aren't paying attention. Keep your eyes open!